Many SSDI beneficiaries wonder how work affects benefits. In 2025–2026, the Social Security Administration maintains robust protections to encourage work without abrupt benefit loss. In tis blog, our expert disability attorneys explain the Trial Work Period (TWP), how extended earnings interact with benefits after TWP, and practical steps to test your work capacity with confidence.
Understanding the Trial Work Period (TWP)
- What it is: A nine-month period (not necessarily consecutive) during which you can work and earn substantial wages without losing your SSDI benefits, provided you stay below certain earnings thresholds and report income.
- How it works: You’re still considered disabled for TWP purposes, so earnings don’t affect eligibility during these months.
- After TWP: Once nine TWP months are used, earnings count toward Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) thresholds, which can affect ongoing benefits.
Extended earnings during the transition
- Extensions: After you exhaust the TWP, there are protections under the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) and other incentives that may allow continued benefits for some time depending on earnings and medical status.
- Monitoring earnings: Keep meticulous records of hours, pay, and weeks worked to determine whether you remain within protective thresholds.
- Purpose: The combination of TWP and subsequent protections helps you test work capabilities while minimizing financial risk.
Practical steps to explore work safely
- Assess readiness: Consider health, energy, transportation, and scheduling needs.
- Start with light on-the-job tasks: Part-time or flexible roles can help you gauge tolerance and performance.
- Report promptly: Notify SSA of earnings and any changes in medical status to ensure correct benefit handling.
- Use work incentives: If you have questions about IRWE or other supports, discuss them with a benefits counselor.
- Plan for the long term: Track progress, maintain medical documentation, and set realistic milestones.
Common pitfalls and tips
- Don’t wait to report: Delays can complicate benefit calculations.
- Understand reentry effects: Exiting or pausing work can reset or affect protections; clarity on rules is essential.
- Use professional help: A benefits counselor or disability attorney can help navigate complex scenarios and prevent inadvertent overpayments.
The TWP and related protections create a structured path for SSDI beneficiaries to test and eventually return to work. By staying organized, reporting earnings, and leveraging available incentives, you can pursue meaningful employment while safeguarding your financial security.
